Talk to an Expert

Mongolia's Legendary Gobi

7 days & 6 nights,Private Journey

Handcrafted itineraries for one or more travelers with on-the-ground support, a private guide, and a private vehicle. Private Journeys represent the best of the custom programs we've designed over the years. Our insider knowledge and destination expertise make these innovative journeys truly unique experiences.

Follow in the footsteps of the first nomads as you travel across the wide-open grasslands of the Mongolian steppe, ride a camel through the sun-scorched Gobi Desert and open your eyes to a simpler culture where hospitality to strangers is still a way of life. Mongolia remains one of the last true wildernesses on Earth, and a visit to this remote land is a rewarding journey of discovery.

Day 1

Arrive Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar, you will be welcomed and accompanied to your hotel.

Shangri-La Hotel - 1 Night

Day 2

To South Gobi

Fly south to the fabled Gobi Desert, which covers parts of southern Mongolia and northern China and was once home to many important trading cities on the great Silk Road. Land next to the expansive Gurvan Saikhan National Park, which boasts seas of sand dunes, striped valleys of badlands and awe-inspiring mountain vistas. One of Mongolia's most popular parks, Gurvan Saikhan contains more than 600 species of birds and a number of endangered animals, including the wild camel, snow leopard and ibex. Continue to the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur eggs were first discovered in the Gobi. Once a huge inland sea, this area holds some of the best fossil finds the world has known. Savor the sunset with a picnic dinner near the towering red sandstone cliffs. For the next two nights, live like a stylish nomad in your award-winning ger camp in the midst of the wilds. Don't forget to allocate some time for stargazing after dinner one night; immersing yourself in the blazing beauty of the clear night sky in the middle of the Gobi Desert is an unforgettable experience.

Three Camel Lodge - 2 Nights (B, L, D)

Day 3

South Gobi

This morning, travel to the Yol Valley, which is part of the Great Gobi National Park. Hike down the valley to observe the rich animal life unique to this region. With more than 30 million head of livestock in the country, Mongolia has approximately 10 times more animals than people. This area is also home to some of the last remaining wild Bactrian (two-hump) camels and the Gobi bear, which is the only bear that lives in the desert. After lunch, stop outside the park to visit a family of camel breeders and learn about their ancient way of life. Later, marvel at the desert splendor of the Moltsog Els sand dunes, which seem to roll on endlessly toward the horizon.

Three Camel Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4

To Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Fly back to the capital of Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, drive to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park to explore Mongolia's verdant grass steppe and the southern Khentii mountain range on foot or horseback. While there, spot some of the park's famed rock formations and visit a nomadic horse breeding family. Stay overnight in a traditional ger camp to experience the hospitality of the steppe as well as the unique feeling of being completely immersed in nature.

Ger Camp - 1 Night (B, L, D)

Day 5

To Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar through the wild steppe. Following an afternoon at leisure, enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and incredible hoomi throat singers. Afterward, celebrate your journey through the ancient land of Genghis Khan with a festive dinner of traditional Mongolian specialties.

Shangri-La Hotel - 2 Nights (B, L, D)

Day 6

Ulaanbaatar

Pay a morning visit to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia's most active Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Next, visit the Natural History Museum, which exhibits some of the world's most significant dinosaur finds that were excavated from the Gobi Desert. Next, visit Bogd Khan Museum, the winter palace of the last Mongolian king. In the early evening, stop to see Zaisan Memorial, an impressive site that honors the Soviet soldiers who died in World War II.

The last evening in the capital of Mongolia is yours at leisure.

Shangri-La Hotel (B, L)

Day 7

Depart Ulaanbaatar

Bid farewell to Mongolia as you are escorted to the airport for your onward flight.

(B)

Share with a friend

Email

Journey Highlights

Spend two nights at the extraordinary Three Camel Lodge in a comfortable ger in the desert

TRAVEL TIPS

Flights

Internal Flights / Delays / Insurance: Almost all the internal flights in this brochure use jet airliners, with some internal airlines in Southeast Asia using turboprop aircraft.

Because of increased air traffic, government restrictions and changing weather conditions, flight delays have become more commonplace. These delays can cause problems with your travel arrangements, and additional costs may well be involved. This may be in the form of added accommodation costs, transfers and/or onward tickets. If this should occur, everything possible will be done to minimize the inconvenience. Cox & Kings will endeavor to ensure that arrangements go as smoothly as possible. As services are paid for in advance, any services missed due to delays and/or schedule changes are non-refundable. Please also bear in mind that many international flight tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. The insurance policy offered by Cox & Kings is designed to mitigate the costs and effects of such delays in certain circumstances, and we strongly advise that you purchase insurance against such eventualities.

Airport Departure Taxes: The cost of our tours does not always include airport departure taxes or overland departure taxes; it is necessary for you to pay these locally and in local currency. Please ensure that you retain enough local currency to cover these taxes. Departure taxes vary in each country and you will be advised when possible of the rates before your departure from the U.S.A. These taxes are always subject to change, and if they do so when you are traveling, your guide or our ground handler will advise you.

Road Travel

The majority of the roads to and from major tourist destinations are paved and in reasonable condition. Although many of the city roads are now 4 to 6-lane highways and have had a large amount of investment in recent years, many of the narrower ones and smaller highways are bumpy and pot-holed. In Vietnam and Cambodia, many of the roads are in poor condition, but most of the main highways are paved. For longer journeys, we will nearly always advise you to fly. Types of vehicles vary according to the country visited and the numbers on a tour. Generally, the following can be used as a guideline for the size of transportation provided: 1-3 passengers, sedan car; 4-6 passengers, minivan; 6-19 passengers, small bus; 20-28 passengers, medium bus.

Early Starts

A number of flights within Asia & the Pacific arrive/depart early in the morning and, while we will endeavor to schedule your tour with a flight which arrives/departs at a reasonable time, sometimes there is little or no alternative and early check-in/check-out times may be required.

Accommodation

Accommodation standards vary dramatically throughout Asia & the Pacific; however, in most of the major cities the hotels are of a good standard. Standards will vary much more in some of the smaller cities and rural areas.

For our tours in Asia & the Pacific, we have chosen hotels primarily for their location and the facilities available. We will endeavor to supply any extra information that you may require about these hotels. The hotels listed in the tour itineraries may occasionally be unavailable for the required dates. In this event, we will advise you of the alternative hotels, which will, where possible, be of the same or of a higher standard than those featured in the itineraries. There are many new hotels being built in Asia & the Pacific, and we may upgrade those featured in the brochure if better options in the same category become available. In Mongolia we use traditional tents or “gers”.

Please note all rooms reserved on your tour are standard, unless noted otherwise; however, if you wish to upgrade your room (e.g., to a lake view or suite, etc.), please speak to your tour consultant who will be able to advise you about options and applicable supplements.

Check-in & Check-out Times: For all group and individual tours, hotel check-in time is normally 14:00 and check-out time is normally 12:00, but this does vary between hotels. Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be pre-booked without extra payment.

Extensions

In some cases, prices for individual arrangements and tour extensions are quoted excluding a guide. In this case, the supplement for a guide is available on request. For logistical reasons, some extensions are on a shared basis based upon a minimum of two passengers and not on a private basis.

Walking

Visiting many of the sites in Asia require a reasonable amount of walking, either to the site or around it. While the walking is normally easy going, a full-day’s sightseeing can be quite tiring and sometimes strenuous. In addition, at ancient monuments there are many steep sections and uneven surfaces. A reasonable amount of fitness is required.

Cruises

Cruise boats may vary their itineraries with little or no notice if water levels become unusually low, or to avoid areas of dense traffic. Such changes are generally very rare, but you should check the final itinerary at reception when you embark. Cruise itineraries include full board, but all drinks will be charged as extras.